Eve

1886

Albert Besnard

Associated Names
Albert Besnard

Artist, French, 1849 - 1934

The image depicts a nude female figure shown from the thighs up. The woman's body is depicted in a slightly reclined position, with her right arm raised and bent at the elbow, resting across her face just above her forehead. Her head is turned slightly to the left, and her facial features are softened and serene, with her eyes closed or looking downward. Her hair is medium length and wavy, cascading and blending into the sketch's shading. The background is rendered with dynamic linear strokes, forming a textured and abstract surrounding that adds depth and contrast to the figure. The composition's technique highlights the contours and form of the woman's body without any specific focus on clothing or external objects. The drawing is signed at the bottom right corner.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid Van Gelder paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 17.8 × 13 cm (7 × 5 1/8 in.)
    sheet: 22.4 × 17.1 cm (8 13/16 × 6 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.1471

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Delteil, no. 108, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Louis E. Stern [1886-1962], New York City; (sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 20 November 1936, lot 164); Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1906

  • Delteil, Loys. Le peintre-graveur illustre. 31 vols. Paris: Published by the author, 1906-1926. Reprint. New York: Collectors Editions, Da Capo Press, 1969. Vol. 30 (Albert Besnard) is by Louis Godefroy.

Inscriptions

"ABesnard" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. Not dated. "1710" lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand. "164" lower left margin, graphite, unknown hand. Verso: none.

Markings

"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, stamped twice, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d).

Watermarks

[horn in shield] (Van Gelder)

Wikidata ID

Q64952365

You may be interested in

Loading Results